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Abstract
Since its domestication over 100 years ago, the laboratory rat has been the preferred experimental animal in many areas of biomedical research (Lindsey and Baker The laboratory rat. Academic, New York, pp 1-52, 2006). Its physiology, size, genetics, reproductive cycle, cognitive and behavioural characteristics have made it a particularly useful animal model for studying many human disorders and diseases. Indeed, through selective breeding programmes numerous strains have been derived that are now the mainstay of research on hypertension, obesity and neurobiology (Okamoto and Aoki Jpn Circ J 27:282-293, 1963; Zucker and Zucker J Hered 52(6):275-278, 1961). Despite this wealth of genetic and phenotypic diversity, the ability to manipulate and interrogate the genetic basis of existing phenotypes in rat strains and the methodology to generate new rat models has lagged significantly behind the advances made with its close cousin, the laboratory mouse. However, recent technical developments in stem cell biology and genetic engineering have again brought the rat to the forefront of biomedical studies and enabled researchers to exploit the increasingly accessible wealth of genome sequence information. In this review, we will describe how a breakthrough in understanding the molecular basis of self-renewal of the pluripotent founder cells of the mammalian embryo, embryonic stem (ES) cells, enabled the derivation of rat ES cells and their application in transgenesis. We will also describe the remarkable progress that has been made in the development of gene editing enzymes that enable the generation of transgenic rats directly through targeted genetic modifications in the genomes of zygotes. The simplicity, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the CRISPR/Cas gene editing system, in particular, mean that the ability to engineer the rat genome is no longer a limiting factor. The selection of suitable targets and gene modifications will now become a priority: a challenge where ES culture and gene editing technologies can play complementary roles in generating accurate bespoke rat models for studying biological processes and modelling human disease.
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Yu Q, Tan RZ, Gan Q, Zhong X, Wang YQ, Zhou J, Wang L. A Novel Rat Model of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Constructed Through CRISPR/Cas-Based Hydrodynamic Injection. Mol Biotechnol 2017; 59:365-373. [DOI: 10.1007/s12033-017-0025-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Hamra FK, Richie CT, Harvey BK. Long Evans rat spermatogonial lines are effective germline vectors for transgenic rat production. Transgenic Res 2017; 26:477-489. [PMID: 28608322 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-017-0025-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Long Evans rat strains are applied as research models in a broad spectrum of biomedical fields (>15,800 citations, NCBI PubMed). Here, we report an approach to genetically modify the Long Evans rat germline in donor spermatogonial stem cells. Long Evans rat spermatogonial lines were derived from freshly isolated laminin-binding spermatogonia. Laminin-binding spermatogonia were cultured over multiple passages on fibroblast feeder layers in serum-free culture medium containing GDNF and FGF2. Long Evans rat spermatogonial lines were genetically modified by transposon transduction to express a germline, tdTomato reporter gene. Donor rat spermatogonial lines robustly regenerated spermatogenesis after transplantation into testes of busulfan-treated, allogenic, Long Evans rats. Donor-derived spermatogenesis largely restored testis size in the chemically sterilized, recipient Long Evans rats. Recipient Long Evans rats stably transmitted the tdTomato germline marker to subsequent generations. Overall, Long Evans rat spermatogonial lines provided effective donor germline vectors for genetically modifying Long Evans rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Kent Hamra
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Road, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX, 75390, USA. .,Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
| | - Christopher T Richie
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Brandon K Harvey
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
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Ehret T, Torelli F, Klotz C, Pedersen AB, Seeber F. Translational Rodent Models for Research on Parasitic Protozoa-A Review of Confounders and Possibilities. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017. [PMID: 28638807 PMCID: PMC5461347 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Rodents, in particular Mus musculus, have a long and invaluable history as models for human diseases in biomedical research, although their translational value has been challenged in a number of cases. We provide some examples in which rodents have been suboptimal as models for human biology and discuss confounders which influence experiments and may explain some of the misleading results. Infections of rodents with protozoan parasites are no exception in requiring close consideration upon model choice. We focus on the significant differences between inbred, outbred and wild animals, and the importance of factors such as microbiota, which are gaining attention as crucial variables in infection experiments. Frequently, mouse or rat models are chosen for convenience, e.g., availability in the institution rather than on an unbiased evaluation of whether they provide the answer to a given question. Apart from a general discussion on translational success or failure, we provide examples where infections with single-celled parasites in a chosen lab rodent gave contradictory or misleading results, and when possible discuss the reason for this. We present emerging alternatives to traditional rodent models, such as humanized mice and organoid primary cell cultures. So-called recombinant inbred strains such as the Collaborative Cross collection are also a potential solution for certain challenges. In addition, we emphasize the advantages of using wild rodents for certain immunological, ecological, and/or behavioral questions. The experimental challenges (e.g., availability of species-specific reagents) that come with the use of such non-model systems are also discussed. Our intention is to foster critical judgment of both traditional and newly available translational rodent models for research on parasitic protozoa that can complement the existing mouse and rat models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Totta Ehret
- FG16 - Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch InstituteBerlin, Germany.,Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinBerlin, Germany
| | - Francesca Torelli
- FG16 - Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch InstituteBerlin, Germany
| | - Christian Klotz
- FG16 - Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch InstituteBerlin, Germany
| | - Amy B Pedersen
- School of Biological Sciences, University of EdinburghEdinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Frank Seeber
- FG16 - Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch InstituteBerlin, Germany
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Ezran C, Karanewsky CJ, Pendleton JL, Sholtz A, Krasnow MR, Willick J, Razafindrakoto A, Zohdy S, Albertelli MA, Krasnow MA. The Mouse Lemur, a Genetic Model Organism for Primate Biology, Behavior, and Health. Genetics 2017; 206:651-664. [PMID: 28592502 PMCID: PMC5499178 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.116.199448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Systematic genetic studies of a handful of diverse organisms over the past 50 years have transformed our understanding of biology. However, many aspects of primate biology, behavior, and disease are absent or poorly modeled in any of the current genetic model organisms including mice. We surveyed the animal kingdom to find other animals with advantages similar to mice that might better exemplify primate biology, and identified mouse lemurs (Microcebus spp.) as the outstanding candidate. Mouse lemurs are prosimian primates, roughly half the genetic distance between mice and humans. They are the smallest, fastest developing, and among the most prolific and abundant primates in the world, distributed throughout the island of Madagascar, many in separate breeding populations due to habitat destruction. Their physiology, behavior, and phylogeny have been studied for decades in laboratory colonies in Europe and in field studies in Malagasy rainforests, and a high quality reference genome sequence has recently been completed. To initiate a classical genetic approach, we developed a deep phenotyping protocol and have screened hundreds of laboratory and wild mouse lemurs for interesting phenotypes and begun mapping the underlying mutations, in collaboration with leading mouse lemur biologists. We also seek to establish a mouse lemur gene "knockout" library by sequencing the genomes of thousands of mouse lemurs to identify null alleles in most genes from the large pool of natural genetic variants. As part of this effort, we have begun a citizen science project in which students across Madagascar explore the remarkable biology around their schools, including longitudinal studies of the local mouse lemurs. We hope this work spawns a new model organism and cultivates a deep genetic understanding of primate biology and health. We also hope it establishes a new and ethical method of genetics that bridges biological, behavioral, medical, and conservation disciplines, while providing an example of how hands-on science education can help transform developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Ezran
- Department of Biochemistry
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and
| | | | | | - Alex Sholtz
- Department of Biochemistry
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and
| | - Maya R Krasnow
- Department of Biochemistry
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and
| | - Jason Willick
- Department of Biochemistry
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and
| | - Andriamahery Razafindrakoto
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, BP 566, Madagascar, and
| | - Sarah Zohdy
- School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Alabama 36849
| | - Megan A Albertelli
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305
| | - Mark A Krasnow
- Department of Biochemistry
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and
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Strzemecki D, Guzowska M, Grieb P. Survival rates of homozygotic Tp53 knockout rats as a tool for preclinical assessment of cancer prevention and treatment. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2017; 22:9. [PMID: 28536640 PMCID: PMC5437597 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-017-0039-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The gene that encodes tumor protein p53, Tp53, is mutated or silenced in most human cancers and is recognized as one of the most important cancer drivers. Homozygotic Tp53 knockout mice, which develop lethal cancers early in their lives, are already used in cancer prevention studies, and now Tp53 knockout rats have also been generated. This study assessed feasibility of using homozygous Tp53 knockout rats to evaluate the possible outcome of cancer chemoprevention. Methods A small colony of Tp53 knockout rats with a Wistar strain genetic background was initiated and maintained in the animal house at our institution. Tp53 heterozygotic females were bred with Tp53 homozygous knockout males to obtain a surplus of knockout homozygotes. To evaluate the reproducibility of their lifespan, 4 groups of Tp53 homozygous knockout male rats born during consecutive quarters of the year were kept behind a sanitary barrier in a controlled environment until they reached a moribund state. Their individual lifespan data were used to construct quarterly survival curves. Results The four consecutive quarterly survival curves were highly reproducible. They were combined into a single “master” curve for use as a reference in intervention studies. The average lifespan of untreated male Tp53 homozygous knockout rats was normally distributed, with a median of 133 days. Sample size vs. effect calculations revealed that confirming a 20% and 30% increase in the lifespan would respectively require a sample size of 18 and 9 animals (when assessed using the t-test with a power of 80% and alpha set at 0.05). As an example, the Tp53 homozygous knockout rat model was used to test the chemopreventive properties of carnosine, a dipeptide with suspected anticancer properties possibly involving modulation of the mTOR pathway. The result was negative. Conclusion Further evaluation of the Tp53 homozygous knockout male rat colony is required before it can be confirmed as a viable tool for assessing new methods of cancer prevention or treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian Strzemecki
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawińskiego Str., Warsaw, 02-106 Poland
| | - Magdalena Guzowska
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawińskiego Str., Warsaw, 02-106 Poland
| | - Paweł Grieb
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawińskiego Str., Warsaw, 02-106 Poland
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Screening for main components associated with the idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity of a tonic herb, Polygonum multiflorum. Front Med 2017; 11:253-265. [PMID: 28315126 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-017-0508-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The main constituents of a typical medicinal herb, Polygonum multiflorum (Heshouwu in Chinese), that induces idiosyncratic liver injury remain unclear. Our previous work has shown that cotreatment with a nontoxic dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and therapeutic dose of Heshouwu can induce liver injury in rats, whereas the solo treatment cannot induce observable injury. In the present work, using the constituent "knock-out" and "knock-in" strategy, we found that the ethyl acetate (EA) extract of Heshouwu displayed comparable idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity to the whole extract in LPS-treated rats. Results indicated a significant elevation of plasma alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and liver histologic changes, whereas other separated fractions failed to induce liver injury. The mixture of EA extract with other separated fractions induced comparable idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity to the whole extract in LPS-treated rats. Chemical analysis further revealed that 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxy trans-stilbene-2-O-β-glucoside (trans-SG) and its cis-isomer were the two major compounds in EA extract. Furthermore, the isolated cis-, and not its trans-isomer, displayed comparable idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity to EA extract in LPS-treated rats. Higher contents of cis-SG were detected in Heshouwu liquor or preparations from actual liver intoxication patients associated with Heshouwu compared with general collected samples. In addition, plasma metabolomics analysis showed that cis-SG-disturbing enriched pathways remarkably differed from trans-SG ones in LPS-treated rats. All these results suggested that cis-SG was closely associated with the idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity of Heshouwu. Considering that the cis-trans isomerization of trans-SG was mediated by ultraviolet light or sunlight, our findings serve as reference for controlling photoisomerization in drug discovery and for the clinical use of Heshouwu and stilbene-related medications.
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Feng K, Luo H, Li Y, Chen J, Wang Y, Sun Y, Zhu Z, Hu W. High efficient gene targeting in rice field eel Monopterus albus by transcription activator-like effector nucleases. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2017; 62:162-164. [PMID: 36659400 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2017.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2016] [Revised: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ke Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hongrui Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yongming Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Ji Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yaping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yonghua Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Zuoyan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Wei Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
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Li M, Wang D. Gene editing nuclease and its application in tilapia. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2017; 62:165-173. [PMID: 36659401 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Gene editing nucleases including zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator like effector nucleases (TALENs) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated (Cas) system (CRISPR/Cas9) provide powerful tools that improve our ability to understand the physiological processes and their underlying mechanisms. To date, these approaches have already been widely used to generate knockout and knockin models in a large number of species. Fishes comprise nearly half of extant vertebrate species and provide excellent models for studying many aspects of biology. In this review, we present an overview of recent advances in the use of gene editing nucleases for studies of fish species. We focus particularly on the use of TALENs and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing for studying sex determination in tilapia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education, China), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Deshou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education, China), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
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Nohmi T, Masumura K, Toyoda-Hokaiwado N. Transgenic rat models for mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. Genes Environ 2017; 39:11. [PMID: 28174618 PMCID: PMC5289047 DOI: 10.1186/s41021-016-0072-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Rats are a standard experimental animal for cancer bioassay and toxicological research for chemicals. Although the genetic analyses were behind mice, rats have been more frequently used for toxicological research than mice. This is partly because they live longer than mice and induce a wider variety of tumors, which are morphologically similar to those in humans. The body mass is larger than mice, which enables to take samples from organs for studies on pharmacokinetics or toxicokinetics. In addition, there are a number of chemicals that exhibit marked species differences in the carcinogenicity. These compounds are carcinogenic in rats but not in mice. Such examples are aflatoxin B1 and tamoxifen, both are carcinogenic to humans. Therefore, negative mutagenic/carcinogenic responses in mice do not guarantee that the chemical is not mutagenic/carcinogenic to rats or perhaps to humans. To facilitate research on in vivo mutagenesis and carcinogenesis, several transgenic rat models have been established. In general, the transgenic rats for mutagenesis are treated with chemicals longer than transgenic mice for more exact examination of the relationship between mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. Transgenic rat models for carcinogenesis are engineered mostly to understand mechanisms underlying chemical carcinogenesis. Here, we review papers dealing with the transgenic rat models for mutagenesis and carcinogenesis, and discuss the future perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takehiko Nohmi
- Division of Genetics and Mutagenesis, National Institute of Health Sciences, 1-18-1 Kamiyoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 158-8501 Japan
- Present address: Biological Safety Research Center, National Institute of Health Sciences, 1-18-1 Kamiyoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 158-8501 Japan
| | - Kenichi Masumura
- Division of Genetics and Mutagenesis, National Institute of Health Sciences, 1-18-1 Kamiyoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 158-8501 Japan
| | - Naomi Toyoda-Hokaiwado
- Division of Genetics and Mutagenesis, National Institute of Health Sciences, 1-18-1 Kamiyoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 158-8501 Japan
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Abstract
Many knock-out/knock-in mouse and rat strains have been produced by genome editing techniques using engineered endonucleases, including zinc finger nuclease (ZFN), transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN), or clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9. Microinjection of engineered endonucleases into pronuclear-stage embryos is required to produce genome-edited rodents and the development of easy, rapid, and high-efficiency methods that do not require special skills such as microinjection is needed. This chapter presents a new technique called Technique for Animal Knockout system by Electroporation (TAKE), which produces genome-edited rodents by direct introduction of engineered endonucleases into intact embryos using electroporation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takehito Kaneko
- Division of Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Arts and Science, Iwate University, 4-3-5 Ueda, Morioka, Iwate, 020-8551, Japan.
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Abstract
Many genetically engineered rat strains have been produced for biomedical research. The simple and quick production of knock-out and knock-in rats is currently possible using genome editing techniques incorporating zinc finger nuclease (ZFN), transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN), or clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9. Genome-edited animals have been produced by the introduction of endonucleases into embryos using conventional microinjection and a new electroporation method named Technique for Animal Knockout system by Electroporation (TAKE). This chapter introduces the latest protocols for producing genetically engineered rats using genome editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takehito Kaneko
- Division of Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Arts and Science, Iwate University, 4-3-5 Ueda, Morioka, Iwate, 020-8551, Japan.
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Abstract
Conditional gene inactivation strategy helps researchers to study the gene functions that are critical in embryogenesis or in defined tissues of adulthood. The Cre/loxP system is widely used for conditional gene inactivation/activation in cells or organisms. Cre knockin animal lines are essential for gene expression or inactivation in a spatially and temporally restricted manner. However, to generate a Cre knockin line by traditional approach is laborious. Recently, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) has been proven as a simple and efficient genome-editing tool. We have used CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate rat strains that carry Cre genes in different targeted gene loci by direct delivery of gRNAs/Cas9/donors into fertilized eggs. Here, we described a stepwise procedure for the generation of Cre knockin rat, including target site selection, RNA preparation, the construction of the template donor, pronuclear injection, and the genotyping of precise Cre insertion in F0 rats. Taken together, the establishment of Cre knockin line can be achieved within 6 weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanwu Ma
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, NHFPC, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medicine College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 5 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Lianfeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, NHFPC, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Peking Union Medicine College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 5 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Xingxu Huang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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He L, Xu JM, Li H, Zhong F, Liu Z, Li CQ, Dai RP. Moderate hypothermia increased the incidence of delayed paralysis through activation of the spinal microglia in an aortic cross-clamping rat model. Int J Cardiol 2016; 220:454-61. [PMID: 27390969 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2016.06.169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/24/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypothermia reduces immediate paralysis during surgical repair of aortic aneurysms. However, it is unknown what the impact of hypothermia is on delayed paralysis, a serious complication of this type of surgery. METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to occlusion of the descending aorta at different duration under normothermia (38.0±0.5) or hypothermia (33.0±0.5°). Neurologic function was assessed. Motor neuron number, glial activation, and cytokine expression in the spinal cord were examined. Minocycline was administered perioperatively by intraperitoneal injection in the rats subjected to the aorta occlusion. RESULTS In contrast to normothermia conditions at which immediate paralysis occurred when the duration of aorta occlusion exceeded 11.5min, hypothermia did not induce immediate paralysis if the duration of aorta occlusion was less than 41min. However, delayed paralysis was developed when the duration of aorta occlusion exceeded 18min, and reached peak level when the duration of aorta occlusion was 40min at hypothermia condition. The number of motoneurons was significantly decreased (P<0.05) at 30h postoperation. In addition, microglia was activated, and interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 levels were upregulated, both of which were co-localized in microglia at 24h postoperation in the hypothermia group. Minocycline treatment attenuated the incidence and degree of paralysis but did not decrease the mortality. CONCLUSIONS Hypothermia, a neuroprotective strategy in cardiothoracic surgery, increased the incidence of delayed paralysis through activation of spinal microglia and cytokines. Blocking the activated microglia may be a potential intervention to prevent the incidence of delayed paralysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang He
- Department of Anesthesia, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Ren-Min Road 139#, Changsha 410011, China.; Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Lequn Road 15#, Guilin 54100, China
| | - Jun-Mei Xu
- Department of Anesthesia, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Ren-Min Road 139#, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Anesthesia, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Ren-Min Road 139#, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Feng Zhong
- Department of Anesthesia, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Ren-Min Road 139#, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Zhi Liu
- Department of Anesthesia, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Ren-Min Road 139#, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Chang-Qi Li
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Ru-Ping Dai
- Department of Anesthesia, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Ren-Min Road 139#, Changsha 410011, China..
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Lan H, Li S, Guo Z, Men H, Wu Y, Li N, Bryda EC, Capecchi MR, Wu S. Efficient generation of selection-gene-free rat knockout models by homologous recombination in ES cells. FEBS Lett 2016; 590:3416-3424. [PMID: 27597178 PMCID: PMC5129459 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic stem cell (ES cell)‐based rat knockout technology, although successfully developed in 2010, has seen very limited usage to date due to low targeting efficiency and a lack of optimized procedures. In this study, we performed gene targeting in ES cells from the Sprague–Dawley (SD) and the Fischer 344 (F344) rat strains using an optimized procedure and the self‐excising neomycin (neo)‐positive selection cassette ACN to successfully generate Leptin and Trp53 knockout rats that did not carry the selection gene. These results demonstrate that our simplified targeting strategy using ACN provides an efficient approach to knock out many other rat genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zihang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongsheng Men
- Veterinary Pathobiology, Rat Resource and Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Yuanyuan Wu
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Ning Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Elizabeth C Bryda
- Veterinary Pathobiology, Rat Resource and Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Mario R Capecchi
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Sen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
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Li T, Shuai L, Mao J, Wang X, Wang M, Zhang X, Wang L, Li Y, Li W, Zhou Q. Efficient Production of Fluorescent Transgenic Rats using the piggyBac Transposon. Sci Rep 2016; 6:33225. [PMID: 27624004 PMCID: PMC5021943 DOI: 10.1038/srep33225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Rats with fluorescent markers are of great value for studies that trace lineage-specific development, particularly those assessing the differentiation potential of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The piggyBac (PB) transposon is widely used for the efficient introduction of genetic modifications into genomes, and has already been successfully used to produce transgenic mice and rats. Here, we generated transgenic rats carrying either the desRed fluorescent protein (RFP) gene or the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) gene by injecting pronuclei with PB plasmids. We showed that the transgenic rats expressed the RFP or eGFP gene in many organs and had the capability to transmit the marker gene to the next generation through germline integration. In addition, rat embryonic stem cells (ESCs) carrying an RFP reporter gene can be derived from the blastocysts of the transgenic rats. Moreover, the RFP gene can be detected in chimeras derived from RFP ESCs via blastocyst injection. This work suggests that PB-mediated transgenesis is a powerful tool to generate transgenic rats expressing fluorescent proteins with high efficiency, and this technique can be used to derive rat ESCs expressing a reporter protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianda Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Ling Shuai
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Junjie Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xuepeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Mei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University of China, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Leyun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University of China, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Yanni Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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67
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Li S, Lan H, Men H, Wu Y, Li N, Capecchi MR, Bryda EC, Wu S. Derivation of Transgene-Free Rat Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Approximating the Quality of Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem Cells Transl Med 2016; 6:340-351. [PMID: 28191784 PMCID: PMC5442795 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2015-0390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although a variety of reprogramming strategies have been reported to create transgene‐free induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from differentiated cell sources, a fundamental question still remains: Can we generate safe iPS cells that have the full spectrum of features of corresponding embryonic stem (ES) cells? Studies in transgene‐free mouse iPS cells have indicated a positive answer to this question. However, the reality is that no other species have a derived transgene‐free iPS cell line that can truly mimic ES cell quality. Specifically, critical data for chimera formation and germline transmission are generally lacking. To date, the rat is the only species, other than the mouse, that has commonly recognized authentic ES cells that can be used for direct comparison with measure features of iPS cells. To help find the underlying reasons of the current inability to derive germline‐competent ES/iPS cells in nonrodent animals, we first used optimized culture conditions to isolate and establish rat ES cell lines and demonstrated they are fully competent for chimeric formation and germline transmission. We then used episomal vectors bearing eight reprogramming genes to improve rat iPS (riPS) cell generation from Sprague‐Dawley rat embryonic fibroblasts. The obtained transgene‐free riPS cells exhibit the typical characteristics of pluripotent stem cells; moreover, they are amenable to subsequent genetic modification by homologous recombination. Although they can contribute significantly to chimeric formation, no germline transmission has been achieved. Although this partial success in achieving competency is encouraging, it suggests that more efforts are still needed to derive ground‐state riPS cells. Stem Cells Translational Medicine2017;6:340–351
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - He Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongsheng Men
- Rat Resource and Research Center, Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Yuanyuan Wu
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Ning Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Mario R. Capecchi
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Elizabeth C. Bryda
- Rat Resource and Research Center, Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Sen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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68
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Hansen SA, Hart ML, Busi S, Parker T, Goerndt A, Jones K, Amos-Landgraf JM, Bryda EC. Fischer-344 Tp53-knockout rats exhibit a high rate of bone and brain neoplasia with frequent metastasis. Dis Model Mech 2016; 9:1139-1146. [PMID: 27528400 PMCID: PMC5087826 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.025767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Somatic mutations in the Tp53 tumor suppressor gene are the most commonly seen genetic alterations in cancer, and germline mutations in Tp53 predispose individuals to a variety of early-onset cancers. Development of appropriate translational animal models that carry mutations in Tp53 and recapitulate human disease are important for drug discovery, biomarker development and disease modeling. Current Tp53 mouse and rat models have significant phenotypic and genetic limitations, and often do not recapitulate certain aspects of human disease. We used a marker-assisted speed congenic approach to transfer a well-characterized Tp53-mutant allele from an outbred rat to the genetically inbred Fischer-344 (F344) rat to create the F344-Tp53tm1(EGFP-Pac)Qly/Rrrc (F344-Tp53) strain. On the F344 genetic background, the tumor spectrum shifted, with the primary tumor types being osteosarcomas and meningeal sarcomas, compared to the hepatic hemangiosarcoma and lymphoma identified in the original outbred stock model. The Fischer model is more consistent with the early onset of bone and central nervous system sarcomas found in humans with germline Tp53 mutations. The frequency of osteosarcomas in F344-Tp53 homozygous and heterozygous animals was 57% and 36%, respectively. Tumors were highly representative of human disease radiographically and histologically, with tumors found primarily on long bones with frequent pulmonary metastases. Importantly, the rapid onset of osteosarcomas in this promising new model fills a current void in animal models that recapitulate human pediatric osteosarcomas and could facilitate studies to identify therapeutic targets. Editors' choice: Transferring a Tp53-knockout allele from an outbred rat stock to the F344 inbred rat genetic background alters the spectrum of tumors, providing a model of early-onset brain and bone sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Hansen
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MI 65211, USA
| | - Marcia L Hart
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MI 65211, USA
| | - Susheel Busi
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MI 65211, USA
| | - Taybor Parker
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MI 65211, USA
| | - Angela Goerndt
- Rat Resource and Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MI 65211, USA
| | - Kevin Jones
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - James M Amos-Landgraf
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MI 65211, USA Rat Resource and Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MI 65211, USA
| | - Elizabeth C Bryda
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MI 65211, USA Rat Resource and Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MI 65211, USA
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69
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Generation of obese rat model by transcription activator-like effector nucleases targeting the leptin receptor gene. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2016; 60:152-157. [DOI: 10.1007/s11427-016-5049-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The laboratory rat is a valuable mammalian model organism for basic research and drug discovery. Here we demonstrate an efficient methodology by applying transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) technology to generate Leptin receptor (Lepr) knockout rats on the Sprague Dawley (SD) genetic background. Through direct injection of in vitro transcribed mRNA of TALEN pairs into SD rat zygotes, somatic mutations were induced in two of three resulting pups. One of the founders carrying bi-allelic mutation exhibited early onset of obesity and infertility. The other founder carried a chimeric mutation which was efficiently transmitted to the progenies. Through phenotyping of the resulting three lines of rats bearing distinct mutations in the Lepr locus, we found that the strains with a frame-shifted or premature stop codon mutation led to obesity and metabolic disorders. However, no obvious defect was observed in a strain with an in-frame 57 bp deletion in the extracellular domain of Lepr. This suggests the deleted amino acids do not significantly affect Lepr structure and function. This is the first report of generating the Lepr mutant obese rat model in SD strain through a reverse genetic approach. This suggests that TALEN is an efficient and powerful gene editing technology for the generation of disease models.
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70
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Reichel JM, Bedenk BT, Gassen NC, Hafner K, Bura SA, Almeida-Correa S, Genewsky A, Dedic N, Giesert F, Agarwal A, Nave KA, Rein T, Czisch M, Deussing JM, Wotjak CT. Beware of your Cre-Ation: lacZ expression impairs neuronal integrity and hippocampus-dependent memory. Hippocampus 2016; 26:1250-64. [PMID: 27101945 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.22601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Expression of the lacZ-sequence is a widely used reporter-tool to assess the transgenic and/or transfection efficacy of a target gene in mice. Once activated, lacZ is permanently expressed. However, protein accumulation is one of the hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, the protein product of the bacterial lacZ gene is ß-galactosidase, an analog to the mammalian senescence-associated ß-galactosidase, a molecular marker for aging. Therefore we studied the behavioral, structural and molecular consequences of lacZ expression in distinct neuronal sub-populations. lacZ expression in cortical glutamatergic neurons resulted in severe impairments in hippocampus-dependent memory accompanied by marked structural alterations throughout the CNS. In contrast, GFP expression or the expression of the ChR2/YFP fusion product in the same cell populations did not result in either cognitive or structural deficits. GABAergic lacZ expression caused significantly decreased hyper-arousal and mild cognitive deficits. Attenuated structural and behavioral consequences of lacZ expression could also be induced in adulthood, and lacZ transfection in neuronal cell cultures significantly decreased their viability. Our findings provide a strong caveat against the use of lacZ reporter mice for phenotyping studies and point to a particular sensitivity of the hippocampus formation to detrimental consequences of lacZ expression. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Reichel
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804, Munich, Germany.,Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 10461, Bronx, New York
| | - B T Bedenk
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804, Munich, Germany.,Core Unit Neuroimaging, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804, Munich, Germany
| | - N C Gassen
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804, Munich, Germany
| | - K Hafner
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804, Munich, Germany
| | - S A Bura
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804, Munich, Germany
| | - S Almeida-Correa
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804, Munich, Germany
| | - A Genewsky
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804, Munich, Germany
| | - N Dedic
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804, Munich, Germany
| | - F Giesert
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg, D-85764, Germany
| | - A Agarwal
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - K-A Nave
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Goettingen, 37075, Germany
| | - T Rein
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804, Munich, Germany
| | - M Czisch
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804, Munich, Germany.,Core Unit Neuroimaging, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804, Munich, Germany
| | - J M Deussing
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804, Munich, Germany
| | - C T Wotjak
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804, Munich, Germany.
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71
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Meek S, Thomson AJ, Sutherland L, Sharp MGF, Thomson J, Bishop V, Meddle SL, Gloaguen Y, Weidt S, Singh-Dolt K, Buehr M, Brown HK, Gill AC, Burdon T. Reduced levels of dopamine and altered metabolism in brains of HPRT knock-out rats: a new rodent model of Lesch-Nyhan Disease. Sci Rep 2016; 6:25592. [PMID: 27185277 PMCID: PMC4869022 DOI: 10.1038/srep25592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lesch-Nyhan disease (LND) is a severe neurological disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT), an enzyme required for efficient recycling of purine nucleotides. Although this biochemical defect reconfigures purine metabolism and leads to elevated levels of the breakdown product urea, it remains unclear exactly how loss of HPRT activity disrupts brain function. As the rat is the preferred rodent experimental model for studying neurobiology and diseases of the brain, we used genetically-modified embryonic stem cells to generate an HPRT knock-out rat. Male HPRT-deficient rats were viable, fertile and displayed normal caged behaviour. However, metabolomic analysis revealed changes in brain biochemistry consistent with disruption of purine recycling and nucleotide metabolism. Broader changes in brain biochemistry were also indicated by increased levels of the core metabolite citrate and reduced levels of lipids and fatty acids. Targeted MS/MS analysis identified reduced levels of dopamine in the brains of HPRT-deficient animals, consistent with deficits noted previously in human LND patients and HPRT knock-out mice. The HPRT-deficient rat therefore provides a new experimental platform for future investigation of how HPRT activity and disruption of purine metabolism affects neural function and behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Meek
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)VS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, Scotland
| | - Alison J. Thomson
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)VS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, Scotland
| | - Linda Sutherland
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)VS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, Scotland
| | - Matthew G. F. Sharp
- Central Bioresearch Services, University of Edinburgh, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, Scotland
| | - Julie Thomson
- Central Bioresearch Services, University of Edinburgh, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, Scotland
| | - Valerie Bishop
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)VS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, Scotland
| | - Simone L. Meddle
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)VS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, Scotland
| | - Yoann Gloaguen
- Glasgow Polyomics, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Garscube Campus, Bearsden, G61 1QH, Scotland
| | - Stefan Weidt
- Glasgow Polyomics, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Garscube Campus, Bearsden, G61 1QH, Scotland
| | - Karamjit Singh-Dolt
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)VS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, Scotland
| | - Mia Buehr
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)VS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, Scotland
| | - Helen K. Brown
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)VS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, Scotland
| | - Andrew C. Gill
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)VS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, Scotland,
| | - Tom Burdon
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)VS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, Scotland,
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Generation of Hprt-disrupted rat through mouse←rat ES chimeras. Sci Rep 2016; 6:24215. [PMID: 27062982 PMCID: PMC4827079 DOI: 10.1038/srep24215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
We established rat embryonic stem (ES) cell lines from a double transgenic rat line which harbours CAG-GFP for ubiquitous expression of GFP in somatic cells and Acr3-EGFP for expression in sperm (green body and green sperm: GBGS rat). By injecting the GBGS rat ES cells into mouse blastocysts and transplanting them into pseudopregnant mice, rat spermatozoa were produced in mouse←rat ES chimeras. Rat spermatozoa from the chimeric testis were able to fertilize eggs by testicular sperm extraction combined with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (TESE-ICSI). In the present paper, we disrupted rat hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (Hprt) gene in ES cells and produced a Hprt-disrupted rat line using the mouse←rat ES chimera system. The mouse←rat ES chimera system demonstrated the dual advantages of space conservation and a clear indication of germ line transmission in knockout rat production.
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73
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Liu Z, Brown A, Fisher D, Wu Y, Warren J, Cui X. Tissue Specific Expression of Cre in Rat Tyrosine Hydroxylase and Dopamine Active Transporter-Positive Neurons. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0149379. [PMID: 26886559 PMCID: PMC4757100 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The rat is a preferred model system over the mouse for neurological studies, and cell type-specific Cre expression in the rat enables precise ablation of gene function in neurons of interest, which is especially valuable for neurodegenerative disease modeling and optogenetics. Yet, few such Cre rats are available. Here we report the characterization of two Cre rats, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-Cre and dopamine active transporter (DAT or Slc6a3)-Cre, by using a combination of immunohistochemistry (IHC) and mRNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) as well as a fluorescent reporter for Cre activity. We detected Cre expression in expected neurons in both Cre lines. Interestingly, we also found that in Th-Cre rats, but not DAT-Cre rats, Cre is expressed in female germ cells, allowing germline excision of the floxed allele and hence the generation of whole-body knockout rats. In summary, our data demonstrate that targeted integration of Cre cassette lead to faithful recapitulation of expression pattern of the endogenous promoter, and mRNA FISH, in addition to IHC, is an effective method for the analysis of the spatiotemporal gene expression patterns in the rat brain, alleviating the dependence on high quality antibodies that are often not available against rat proteins. The Th-Cre and the DAT-Cre rat lines express Cre in selective subsets of dopaminergic neurons and should be particularly useful for researches on Parkinson’s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyi Liu
- SAGE Labs, A Horizon Discovery Group Company, Saint Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Andrew Brown
- SAGE Labs, A Horizon Discovery Group Company, Saint Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Dan Fisher
- SAGE Labs, A Horizon Discovery Group Company, Saint Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Yumei Wu
- SAGE Labs, A Horizon Discovery Group Company, Saint Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Joe Warren
- SAGE Labs, A Horizon Discovery Group Company, Saint Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Xiaoxia Cui
- SAGE Labs, A Horizon Discovery Group Company, Saint Louis, MO, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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74
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Inagaki H, Sato J. Air puff-induced 22-kHz calls in F344 rats. Physiol Behav 2015; 155:237-41. [PMID: 26723270 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Revised: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Air puff-induced ultrasonic vocalizations in adult rats, termed "22-kHz calls," have been applied as a useful animal model to develop psychoneurological and psychopharmacological studies focusing on human aversive affective disorders. To date, all previous studies on air puff-induced 22-kHz calls have used outbred rats. Furthermore, newly developed gene targeting technologies, which are essential for further advancement of biomedical experiments using air puff-induced 22-kHz calls, have enabled the production of genetically modified rats using inbred rat strains. Therefore, we considered it necessary to assess air puff-induced 22-kHz calls in inbred rats. In this study, we assessed differences in air puff-induced 22-kHz calls between inbred F344 rats and outbred Wistar rats. Male F344 rats displayed similar total (summed) duration of air puff-induced 22 kHz vocalizations to that of male Wistar rats, however, Wistar rats emitted fewer calls of longer duration, while F344 rats emitted higher number of vocalizations of shorter duration. Additionally, female F344 rats emitted fewer air puff-induced 22-kHz calls than did males, thus confirming the existence of a sex difference that was previously reported for outbred Wistar rats. The results of this study could confirm the reliability of air puff stimulus for induction of a similar amount of emissions of 22-kHz calls in different rat strains, enabling the use of air puff-induced 22-kHz calls in inbred F344 rats and derived genetically modified animals in future studies concerning human aversive affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideaki Inagaki
- Center for Animal Research and Education, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan.
| | - Jun Sato
- Center for Animal Research and Education, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
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75
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Bulic-Jakus F, Katusic Bojanac A, Juric-Lekic G, Vlahovic M, Sincic N. Teratoma: from spontaneous tumors to the pluripotency/malignancy assay. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2015; 5:186-209. [PMID: 26698368 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2015] [Revised: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A teratoma is a benign tumor containing a mixture of differentiated tissues and organotypic derivatives of the three germ layers, while a teratocarcinoma also contains embryonal carcinoma cells (EC cells). Experimental teratomas and teratocarcinomas have been derived from early mammalian embryos transplanted into the adult animal (ectopic sites). In the rat, the pluripotency of the transplanted epiblast was demonstrated and a quantifiable restriction of developmental potential persisted after subsequent transplantation of chemically defined cultivated postimplantation embryos. The rat is nonpermissive for teratocarcinoma development and rat pluripotent cell lines have been established only recently. Transplantation of mouse embryos, epiblast, or embryonic stem cells (mESCs) gave rise to teratocarcinomas. The pluripotency of reprogrammed human cells has been tested by a 'gold standard' trilaminar teratoma assay in immunocompromised mice in vivo. Human pluripotent stem cells proposed for use in regenerative medicine such as human embryonic stem cell (hESC), human nuclear-transfer/therapeutic cloning embryonic stem cell (NT-ESC), or human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines, once differentiated in vitro to the desired cell type, should be again tested in a long-term animal teratoma assay to exclude their malignancy. Such an approach led to a recently implemented human therapy with retinal pigmented epithelium. For greater biosafety, the teratoma assay should be standardized and complemented by assessments of mutations/epimutations, RNA/protein expression, and possible immunogenicity of autologous pluripotent cells. Furthermore, the standardized teratoma assay should be directed more to the assessment of EC/malignant cell features than of differentiated tissues, especially after a unique case of human therapy with neural stem cells was found to lead to malignancy. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floriana Bulic-Jakus
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ana Katusic Bojanac
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gordana Juric-Lekic
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Vlahovic
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nino Sincic
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
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76
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Qu Z, Guan Y, Cui L, Song J, Gu J, Zhao H, Xu L, Lu L, Jin Y, Xu GT. Transplantation of rat embryonic stem cell-derived retinal progenitor cells preserves the retinal structure and function in rat retinal degeneration. Stem Cell Res Ther 2015; 6:219. [PMID: 26553210 PMCID: PMC4640237 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-015-0207-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Revised: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Degenerative retinal diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are the leading cause of blindness. Cell transplantation showed promising therapeutic effect for such diseases, and embryonic stem cell (ESC) is one of the sources of such donor cells. Here, we aimed to generate retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) from rat ESCs (rESCs) and to test their therapeutic effects in rat model. METHODS The rESCs (DA8-16) were cultured in N2B27 medium with 2i, and differentiated to two types of RPCs following the SFEBq method with modifications. For rESC-RPC1, the cells were switched to adherent culture at D10, while for rESC-RPC2, the suspension culture was maintained to D14. Both RPCs were harvested at D16. Primary RPCs were obtained from P1 SD rats, and some of them were labeled with EGFP by infection with lentivirus. To generate Rax::EGFP knock-in rESC lines, TALENs were engineered to facilitate homologous recombination in rESCs, which were cotransfected with the targeting vector and TALEN vectors. The differentiated cells were analyzed with live image, immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometric analysis, gene expression microarray, etc. RCS rats were used to mimic the degeneration of retina and test the therapeutic effects of subretinally transplanted donor cells. The structure and function of retina were examined. RESULTS We established two protocols through which two types of rESC-derived RPCs were obtained and both contained committed retina lineage cells and some neural progenitor cells (NPCs). These rESC-derived RPCs survived in the host retinas of RCS rats and protected the retinal structure and function in early stage following the transplantation. However, the glia enriched rESC-RPC1 obtained through early and longer adherent culture only increased the b-wave amplitude at 4 weeks, while the longer suspension culture gave rise to evidently neuronal differentiation in rESC-RPC2 which significantly improved the visual function of RCS rats. CONCLUSIONS We have successfully differentiated rESCs to glia enriched RPCs and retinal neuron enriched RPCs in vitro. The retinal neuron enriched rESC-RPC2 protected the structure and function of retina in rats with genetic retinal degeneration and could be a candidate cell source for treating some degenerative retinal diseases in human trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zepeng Qu
- Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Room 208, Building 5, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Yuan Guan
- Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Room 208, Building 5, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Lu Cui
- Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Room 208, Building 5, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Jian Song
- ShanghaiTech University School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai, 201210, China.
| | - Junjie Gu
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institute for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200031, China.
| | - Hanzhi Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institute for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200031, China.
| | - Lei Xu
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cell Research Center, and Institute for Nutritional Sciences, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Lixia Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, and Laboratory of Clinical Visual Science of Tongji Eye Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, Medical Building, Room 521, Shanghai, 200092, China.
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cell Research Center, and Institute for Nutritional Sciences, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Ying Jin
- Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Room 208, Building 5, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institute for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200031, China.
- ShanghaiTech University School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai, 201210, China.
| | - Guo-Tong Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, and Laboratory of Clinical Visual Science of Tongji Eye Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, Medical Building, Room 521, Shanghai, 200092, China.
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cell Research Center, and Institute for Nutritional Sciences, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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Apolipoprotein E-deficient rats develop atherosclerotic plaques in partially ligated carotid arteries. Atherosclerosis 2015; 243:589-92. [PMID: 26545012 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2015.10.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Revised: 10/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The goal of this study was to establish an apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(-/-)) rat model. METHODS The ApoE(-/-) rat was created by TALEN-mediated gene targeting in the genetic background of Sprague Dawley rat. Six-to eight-week-old male rats were used in the experiments (n = 10 in each group). RESULTS After fed with high-cholesterol diet (HCD) for 12 weeks, the ApoE(-/-) rats displayed typical dyslipidemia. In contrast, HCD failed to induce hypercholesterolemia in wild-type rats. However, there was no obvious atherosclerotic lesion in oil red O-stained en face aortas and the aortic root sections in both genetic types of rats. Interestingly, partial ligation caused the formation of plaques consist of lipid and macrophages in carotid arteries from ApoE(-/-) rats, but induced the neointimal hyperplasia in wild-type rats. Additionally, we found that HCD slightly increased the expression of adhesion molecules, while partial ligation dramatically upregulated these molecules. CONCLUSIONS The ApoE(-/-) rat is a novel model for dyslipidemia and could also be used in the research of atherosclerosis.
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Heckenast JR, Wilkinson LS, Jones MW. Decoding Advances in Psychiatric Genetics: A Focus on Neural Circuits in Rodent Models. ADVANCES IN GENETICS 2015; 92:75-106. [PMID: 26639916 DOI: 10.1016/bs.adgen.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Appropriately powered genome-wide association studies combined with deep-sequencing technologies offer the prospect of real progress in revealing the complex biological underpinnings of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. Meanwhile, recent developments in genome engineering, including CRISPR, constitute better tools to move forward with investigating these genetic leads. This review aims to assess how these advances can inform the development of animal models for psychiatric disease, with a focus on schizophrenia and in vivo electrophysiological circuit-level measures with high potential as disease biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia R Heckenast
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK; School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK; Behavioural Genetics Group, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Lawrence S Wilkinson
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK; School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK; Behavioural Genetics Group, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Matthew W Jones
- School of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, UK
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Zhou X, Contreras-Trujillo H, Ying QL. New insights into the conserved mechanism of pluripotency maintenance. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2015; 34:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2015.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Revised: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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80
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Kawaharada K, Kawamata M, Ochiya T. Rat embryonic stem cells create new era in development of genetically manipulated rat models. World J Stem Cells 2015; 7:1054-1063. [PMID: 26328021 PMCID: PMC4550629 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v7.i7.1054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Revised: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 07/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem (ES) cells are isolated from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst, and are used for the generation of gene-modified animals. In mice, the transplantation of gene-modified ES cells into recipient blastocysts leads to the creation of gene-targeted mice such as knock-in and knock-out mice; these gene-targeted mice contribute greatly to scientific development. Although the rat is considered a useful laboratory animal alongside the mouse, fewer gene-modified rats have been produced due to the lack of robust establishment methods for rat ES cells. A new method for establishing rat ES cells using signaling inhibitors was reported in 2008. By considering the characteristics of rat ES cells, recent research has made progress in improving conditions for the stable culture of rat ES cells in order to generate gene-modified rats efficiently. In this review, we summarize several advanced methods to maintain rat ES cells and generate gene-targeted rats.
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81
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Liu Q, Fan C, Zhou S, Guo Y, Zuo Q, Ma J, Liu S, Wu X, Peng Z, Fan T, Guo C, Shen Y, Huang W, Li B, He Z, Wang Y. Bioluminescent imaging of vaccinia virus infection in immunocompetent and immunodeficient rats as a model for human smallpox. Sci Rep 2015; 5:11397. [PMID: 26235050 PMCID: PMC4522659 DOI: 10.1038/srep11397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the increasing concern of using smallpox virus as biological weapons for terrorist attack, there is renewed interest in studying the pathogenesis of human smallpox and development of new therapies. Animal models are highly demanded for efficacy and safety examination of new vaccines and therapeutic drugs. Here, we demonstrated that both wild type and immunodeficient rats infected with an engineered vaccinia virus carrying Firefly luciferase reporter gene (rTV-Fluc) could recapitulate infectious and clinical features of human smallpox. Vaccinia viral infection in wild type Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats displayed a diffusible pattern in various organs, including liver, head and limbs. The intensity of bioluminescence generated from rTV-Fluc correlated well with viral loads in tissues. Moreover, neutralizing antibodies had a protective effect against virus reinfection. The recombination activating gene 2 (Rag2) knockout rats generated by transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) technology were further used to examine the infectivity of the rTV-Fluc in immunodeficient populations. Here we demonstrated that Rag2-/- rats were more susceptible to rTV-Fluc than SD rats with a slower virus clearance rate. Therefore, the rTV-Fluc/SD rats and rTV-Fluc/Rag2-/- rats are suitable visualization models, which recapitulate wild type or immunodeficient populations respectively, for testing human smallpox vaccine and antiviral drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Liu
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-transmitted Virus Vaccines, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Health for Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Changfa Fan
- Division of Animal Model Research, Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Shuya Zhou
- Division of Animal Model Research, Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yanan Guo
- Biocytogen Co., Ltd, Beijing, 101111, China
| | - Qin Zuo
- Division of Animal Model Research, Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Jian Ma
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-transmitted Virus Vaccines, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Health for Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Susu Liu
- Division of Animal Model Research, Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xi Wu
- Division of Animal Model Research, Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Zexu Peng
- Division of Animal Model Research, Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Tao Fan
- Division of Animal Model Research, Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 100050, China
| | | | | | - Weijin Huang
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-transmitted Virus Vaccines, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Health for Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Baowen Li
- Division of Animal Model Research, Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Zhengming He
- Division of Animal Model Research, Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Youchun Wang
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-transmitted Virus Vaccines, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Health for Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 100050, China
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Flister MJ, Prokop JW, Lazar J, Shimoyama M, Dwinell M, Geurts A. 2015 Guidelines for Establishing Genetically Modified Rat Models for Cardiovascular Research. J Cardiovasc Transl Res 2015; 8:269-77. [PMID: 25920443 PMCID: PMC4475456 DOI: 10.1007/s12265-015-9626-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The rat has long been a key physiological model for cardiovascular research, most of the inbred strains having been previously selected for susceptibility or resistance to various cardiovascular diseases (CVD). These CVD rat models offer a physiologically relevant background on which candidates of human CVD can be tested in a more clinically translatable experimental setting. However, a diverse toolbox for genetically modifying the rat genome to test molecular mechanisms has only recently become available. Here, we provide a high-level description of several strategies for developing genetically modified rat models of CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Flister
- Human and Molecular Genetics Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, 53226, WI, USA,
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Aponte PM. Spermatogonial stem cells: Current biotechnological advances in reproduction and regenerative medicine. World J Stem Cells 2015; 7:669-680. [PMID: 26029339 PMCID: PMC4444608 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v7.i4.669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Revised: 03/13/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the germ stem cells of the seminiferous epithelium in the testis. Through the process of spermatogenesis, they produce sperm while concomitantly keeping their cellular pool constant through self-renewal. SSC biology offers important applications for animal reproduction and overcoming human disease through regenerative therapies. To this end, several techniques involving SSCs have been developed and will be covered in this article. SSCs convey genetic information to the next generation, a property that can be exploited for gene targeting. Additionally, SSCs can be induced to become embryonic stem cell-like pluripotent cells in vitro. Updates on SSC transplantation techniques with related applications, such as fertility restoration and preservation of endangered species, are also covered on this article. SSC suspensions can be transplanted to the testis of an animal and this has given the basis for SSC functional assays. This procedure has proven technically demanding in large animals and men. In parallel, testis tissue xenografting, another transplantation technique, was developed and resulted in sperm production in testis explants grafted into ectopical locations in foreign species. Since SSC culture holds a pivotal role in SSC biotechnologies, current advances are overviewed. Finally, spermatogenesis in vitro, already demonstrated in mice, offers great promises to cope with reproductive issues in the farm animal industry and human clinical applications.
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84
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Fox CS, Hall JL, Arnett DK, Ashley EA, Delles C, Engler MB, Freeman MW, Johnson JA, Lanfear DE, Liggett SB, Lusis AJ, Loscalzo J, MacRae CA, Musunuru K, Newby LK, O'Donnell CJ, Rich SS, Terzic A. Future translational applications from the contemporary genomics era: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation 2015; 131:1715-36. [PMID: 25882488 DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000000211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The field of genetics and genomics has advanced considerably with the achievement of recent milestones encompassing the identification of many loci for cardiovascular disease and variable drug responses. Despite this achievement, a gap exists in the understanding and advancement to meaningful translation that directly affects disease prevention and clinical care. The purpose of this scientific statement is to address the gap between genetic discoveries and their practical application to cardiovascular clinical care. In brief, this scientific statement assesses the current timeline for effective translation of basic discoveries to clinical advances, highlighting past successes. Current discoveries in the area of genetics and genomics are covered next, followed by future expectations, tools, and competencies for achieving the goal of improving clinical care.
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85
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New Transgenic Technologies. Mov Disord 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-405195-9.00003-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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86
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Stiedl P, Grabner B, Zboray K, Bogner E, Casanova E. Modeling cancer using genetically engineered mice. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1267:3-18. [PMID: 25636462 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2297-0_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models have proven to be a powerful tool to study tumorigenesis. The mouse is the preferred complex organism used in cancer studies due to the high number and versatility of genetic tools available for this species. GEM models can mimic point mutations, gene amplifications, short and large deletions, translocations, etc.; thus, most of the genetic aberrations found in human tumors can be modeled in GEM, making GEM models a very attractive system. Furthermore, recent developments in mouse genetics may facilitate the generation of GEM models with increased mutational complexity, therefore resembling human tumors better. Within this review, we will discuss the different possibilities of modeling tumorigenesis using GEM and the future developments within the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Stiedl
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research (LBI-CR), Währinger Str. 13a, Vienna, 1090, Austria
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87
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Kaneko T, Mashimo T. Creating knockout and knockin rodents using engineered endonucleases via direct embryo injection. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1239:307-315. [PMID: 25408415 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-1862-1_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Genetically engineered rodents have been generated worldwide for biomedical research. Recently, gene targeting techniques have been developed by using engineered endonucleases such as zinc-finger nucleases (ZFN), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALEN) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9. These endonucleases are useful for simple and rapid production of gene knockout/knockin animals without using embryonic stem (ES) cells. This chapter introduces the latest protocols for producing genetically modified rodents using ZFN, TALEN, and CRISPR/Cas9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takehito Kaneko
- Institute of Laboratory Animals, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan,
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Animal Models with a Genetic Alteration of the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas Axis. THE PROTECTIVE ARM OF THE RENIN ANGIOTENSIN SYSTEM (RAS) 2015. [PMCID: PMC7150279 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-801364-9.00022-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this chapter is to describe the animal models generated by transgenic technology for the functional analysis of the protective axis of the renin–angiotensin system, consisting of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7), and Mas. Transgenic overexpression of the components of this axis in general led to an ameliorated cardiac and vascular damage in disease states and to an improved metabolic profile. Knockout models for ACE2 and Mas, however, show aggravated cardiovascular pathologies and a metabolic syndrome-like state. In particular, the local production of Ang-(1-7) in the vascular wall, in the heart, and in the brain was found to be of high physiological relevance by the use of transgenic animals overexpressing ACE2 or Ang-(1-7) in these tissues.
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Zinc Finger Nucleases: A new era for transgenic animals. Ann Neurosci 2014; 18:25-8. [PMID: 25205916 PMCID: PMC4117018 DOI: 10.5214/ans.0972.7531.1118109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2010] [Revised: 01/06/2011] [Accepted: 01/20/2011] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The rational engineering of eukaryotic genomes would facilitate the study of heritable changes in gene expression and offer enormous potential across basic research, drug-discovery, bioproduction and therapeutic development. A significant advancement toward this objective was achieved with the advent of a novel technology that enables high-frequency and high-fidelity genome editing via the application of custom designed zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs). A ZFN is a chimeric protein that consists of the non-specific endonuclease domain of FokI fused to a DNA-binding domain composed of an engineered zinc-finger motif. Within these chimeric proteins, the DNA binding specificity of the zinc finger protein determines the site of nuclease action. Once the engineered ZFNs recognize and bind to their specified locus, it leads to the dimerization of the two nuclease domains on the ZFNs to evoke a double-strand break (DSB) in the targeted DNA. The cell then employs the natural DNA repair processes of either non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homology-directed repair (HDR) to repair the targeted break. Due to the imperfect fidelity of NHEJ, a proportion of DSBs within a ZFN-treated cellular population will be misrepaired, leading to cells in which variable heterogeneous genetic insertions or deletions have been made at the target site. Alternatively, the HDR repair pathway enables precise insertion of a transgene or other defined alterations into the targeted region. By this approach, a donor template containing the transgene flanked by sequences that are homologous to the regions either side of the cleavage site is co-delivered into the cell along with the ZFNs. By creating a specific DSB, these cellular repair mechanisms are harnessed to generate precisely targeted genomic edits resulting in both cell lines and animal models with targeted gene deletions, integrations, or modifications. This review will discuss the development, mechanism of action, and applications of ZFN technology to genome engineering and the creation of animal models.
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90
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Guan G, Zhang X, Naruse K, Nagahama Y, Hong Y. Gene replacement by zinc finger nucleases in medaka embryos. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2014; 16:739-747. [PMID: 25097139 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-014-9587-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Accepted: 07/12/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Gene replacement (GR) via homologous recombination is a powerful tool for genome editing. Recently, direct GR is achieved successfully by coinjection of mRNAs for engineered endonucleases such as zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) and donor DNA in developing embryos of diverse organisms. Here, we report the procedures and efficiency for direct GR by using ZFNs in the fish medaka. Upon zygotic coinjection of mRNAs encoding ZFNs that target the gonad-specifically expressed gsdf locus, linear DNA of GR vector pGRgsdf containing the red fluorescent protein (rfp) gene flanked by two homology arms of ~1-kb each underwent GR via homologous recombination. Specifically, 15 of 231 adults from manipulated embryos contained a GR allele in the caudal fin, producing an efficiency of ~7 % for somatic GR. Progeny test revealed that two out of nine fertile fish containing the GR allele in the fin were capable of transmitting the GR allele to ~6 % of F1 generation at adulthood, generating an efficiency of ~22 % for germline transmission. Sequencing and Southern blotting validated precise GR. We show that the GR allele expressed a chimeric gsdf:rfp RNA between gsdf and cointegrated rfp specifically in the gonad, demonstrating recapitulation of endogenous RNA expression as predicted for the defined GR allele. Most importantly, RFP expression coincides faithfully with the gonad-specific gsdf expression in developing embryos and adults. These results demonstrate, for the first time, the feasibility and efficiency of ZFN-mediated precise GR directly in the developing embryo of medaka as a lower vertebrate model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guijun Guan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
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91
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Jiang Y, Kou Z, Wu T, An W, Zhou R, Wang H, Gao Y, Gao S. Xist deficiency and disorders of X-inactivation in rabbit embryonic stem cells can be rescued by transcription-factor-mediated conversion. Stem Cells Dev 2014; 23:2283-96. [PMID: 24805295 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2014.0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The deficiency of X-inactive specific transcript (XIST) on the inactive X chromosome affects the behavior of female human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), and further chromosomal erosion can occur with continued passaging of these cells. However, X chromosome instability has not been identified in other species. In the present study, we investigated three female rabbit ESC (rbESC) lines and found that two of them expressed Xist normally and obtained both Xist RNA coating and H3K27me3 foci, thus defined as Xi(Xist)Xa. Interestingly, the third female rbESC line lacked Xist expression during ESC maintenance and differentiation. This line showed H3K27me3 foci but no Xist RNA coating in the early passages and was thus defined as Xi(w/oXist)Xa. Similar to Xi(w/oXist)Xa hESCs or hiPSCs, Xi(w/oXist)Xa rbESCs lose H3K27me3 and undergo Xi erosion (Xe) with passaging. Moreover, Xist-deficient rbESCs also exhibit impaired differentiation ability and upregulation of cancer-related genes. By overexpressing OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC in Xist-deficient rbESCs under optimized culture conditions, we successfully obtained mouse ESC-like (mESC-like) cells. The mESC-like rbESCs displayed dome-shaped colony morphology, activation of the LIF/STAT3-dependent pathway, and conversion of disordered X chromosome. Importantly, the defective differentiation potential was also greatly improved. Our data demonstrate that variations in X chromosome inactivation occur in early passage of rbESCs; thus, Xi disorders are conserved across species and are reversible using the proper epigenetic reprogramming and culture conditions. These findings may be very useful for future efforts toward deriving fully pluripotent rbESCs or rabbit iPSCs (rbiPSCs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghua Jiang
- 1 College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University , Beijing, China
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92
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Simple knockout by electroporation of engineered endonucleases into intact rat embryos. Sci Rep 2014; 4:6382. [PMID: 25269785 PMCID: PMC4180828 DOI: 10.1038/srep06382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineered endonucleases, such as zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) system, provide a powerful approach for genome editing in animals. However, the microinjection of endonucleases into embryos requires a high skill level, is time consuming, and may cause damage to embryos. Here, we demonstrate that the electroporation of endonuclease mRNAs into intact embryos can induce editing at targeted loci and efficiently produce knockout rats. It is noteworthy that the electroporation of ZFNs resulted in an embryonic survival rate (91%) and a genome-editing rate (73%) that were more than 2-fold higher than the corresponding rates from conventional microinjection. Electroporation technology provides a simple and effective method to produce knockout animals.
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93
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Doorschodt B, Teubner A, Kobayashi E, Tolba R. Promising future for the transgenic rat in transplantation research. Transplant Rev (Orlando) 2014; 28:155-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trre.2014.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2014] [Revised: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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94
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Shao Y, Guan Y, Wang L, Qiu Z, Liu M, Chen Y, Wu L, Li Y, Ma X, Liu M, Li D. CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing in the rat via direct injection of one-cell embryos. Nat Protoc 2014; 9:2493-512. [PMID: 25255092 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2014.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Conventional embryonic stem cell (ESC)-based gene targeting, zinc-finger nuclease (ZFN) and transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) technologies are powerful strategies for the generation of genetically modified animals. Recently, the CRISPR/Cas system has emerged as an efficient and convenient alternative to these approaches. We have used the CRISPR/Cas system to generate rat strains that carry mutations in multiple genes through direct injection of RNAs into one-cell embryos, demonstrating the high efficiency of Cas9-mediated gene editing in rats for simultaneous generation of compound gene mutant models. Here we describe a stepwise procedure for the generation of knockout and knock-in rats. This protocol provides guidelines for the selection of genomic targets, synthesis of guide RNAs, design and construction of homologous recombination (HR) template vectors, embryo microinjection, and detection of mutations and insertions in founders or their progeny. The procedure from target design to identification of founders can take as little as 6 weeks, of which <10 d is actual hands-on working time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjiao Shao
- 1] Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China. [2]
| | - Yuting Guan
- 1] Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China. [2]
| | - Liren Wang
- 1] Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China. [2]
| | - Zhongwei Qiu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meizhen Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuting Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lijuan Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongmei Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueyun Ma
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingyao Liu
- 1] Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China. [2] Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Dali Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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95
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Hisamatsu S, Sakaue M, Takizawa A, Kato T, Kamoshita M, Ito J, Kashiwazaki N. Knockout of targeted gene in porcine somatic cells using zinc-finger nuclease. Anim Sci J 2014; 86:132-7. [DOI: 10.1111/asj.12259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shin Hisamatsu
- Department of Environmental Sciences; School of Life and Environmental Science; Azabu University; Sagamihara Japan
| | - Motoharu Sakaue
- Department of Anatomy II; Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences; Azabu University; Sagamihara Japan
- School of Veterinary Medicine; Azabu University; Sagamihara Japan
| | - Akiko Takizawa
- Graduate School of Medicine; Kyoto University; Kyoto Japan
| | - Tsubasa Kato
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction; Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences; Azabu University; Sagamihara Japan
| | - Maki Kamoshita
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction; Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences; Azabu University; Sagamihara Japan
| | - Junya Ito
- School of Veterinary Medicine; Azabu University; Sagamihara Japan
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction; Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences; Azabu University; Sagamihara Japan
| | - Naomi Kashiwazaki
- School of Veterinary Medicine; Azabu University; Sagamihara Japan
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction; Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences; Azabu University; Sagamihara Japan
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96
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Sherman SL, Curnow EC, Easley CA, Jin P, Hukema RK, Tejada MI, Willemsen R, Usdin K. Use of model systems to understand the etiology of fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI). J Neurodev Disord 2014; 6:26. [PMID: 25147583 PMCID: PMC4139715 DOI: 10.1186/1866-1955-6-26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2013] [Accepted: 08/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI) is among the family of disorders caused by the expansion of a CGG repeat sequence in the 5' untranslated region of the X-linked gene FMR1. About 20% of women who carry the premutation allele (55 to 200 unmethylated CGG repeats) develop hypergonadotropic hypogonadism and cease menstruating before age 40. Some proportion of those who are still cycling show hormonal profiles indicative of ovarian dysfunction. FXPOI leads to subfertility and an increased risk of medical conditions associated with early estrogen deficiency. Little progress has been made in understanding the etiology of this clinically significant disorder. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of FXPOI requires a detailed knowledge of ovarian FMR1 mRNA and FMRP’s function. In humans, non-invasive methods to discriminate the mechanisms of the premutation on ovarian function are not available, thus necessitating the development of model systems. Vertebrate (mouse and rat) and invertebrate (Drosophila melanogaster) animal studies for the FMR1 premutation and ovarian function exist and have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of the disease phenotype. For example, rodent models have shown that FMRP is highly expressed in oocytes where it is important for folliculogenesis. The two premutation mouse models studied to date show evidence of ovarian dysfunction and, together, suggest that the long repeat in the transcript itself may have some pathological effect quite apart from any effect of the toxic protein. Further, ovarian morphology in young animals appears normal and the primordial follicle pool size does not differ from that of wild-type animals. However, there is a progressive premature decline in the levels of most follicle classes. Observations also include granulosa cell abnormalities and altered gene expression patterns. Further comparisons of these models are now needed to gain insight into the etiology of the ovarian dysfunction. Premutation model systems in non-human primates and those based on induced pluripotent stem cells show particular promise and will complement current models. Here, we review the characterization of the current models and describe the development and potential of the new models. Finally, we will discuss some of the molecular mechanisms that might be responsible for FXPOI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L Sherman
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, 615 Michael St, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Eliza C Curnow
- Washington National Primate Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Charles A Easley
- Laboratory of Translational Cell Biology, Department of Cell Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, 615 Michael St, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Renate K Hukema
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Isabel Tejada
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Genetics Service, BioCruces Health Research Institute, Hospital Universitario Cruces, Barakaldo, Biscay, Spain
| | - Rob Willemsen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Karen Usdin
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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97
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Remy S, Tesson L, Menoret S, Usal C, De Cian A, Thepenier V, Thinard R, Baron D, Charpentier M, Renaud JB, Buelow R, Cost GJ, Giovannangeli C, Fraichard A, Concordet JP, Anegon I. Efficient gene targeting by homology-directed repair in rat zygotes using TALE nucleases. Genome Res 2014; 24:1371-83. [PMID: 24989021 PMCID: PMC4120090 DOI: 10.1101/gr.171538.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The generation of genetically modified animals is important for both research and commercial purposes. The rat is an important model organism that until recently lacked efficient genetic engineering tools. Sequence-specific nucleases, such as ZFNs, TALE nucleases, and CRISPR/Cas9 have allowed the creation of rat knockout models. Genetic engineering by homology-directed repair (HDR) is utilized to create animals expressing transgenes in a controlled way and to introduce precise genetic modifications. We applied TALE nucleases and donor DNA microinjection into zygotes to generate HDR-modified rats with large new sequences introduced into three different loci with high efficiency (0.62%–5.13% of microinjected zygotes). Two of these loci (Rosa26 and Hprt1) are known to allow robust and reproducible transgene expression and were targeted for integration of a GFP expression cassette driven by the CAG promoter. GFP-expressing embryos and four Rosa26 GFP rat lines analyzed showed strong and widespread GFP expression in most cells of all analyzed tissues. The third targeted locus was Ighm, where we performed successful exon exchange of rat exon 2 for the human one. At all three loci we observed HDR only when using linear and not circular donor DNA. Mild hypothermic (30°C) culture of zygotes after microinjection increased HDR efficiency for some loci. Our study demonstrates that TALE nuclease and donor DNA microinjection into rat zygotes results in efficient and reproducible targeted donor integration by HDR. This allowed creation of genetically modified rats in a work-, cost-, and time-effective manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Séverine Remy
- INSERM UMR 1064-ITUN, CHU de Nantes, Nantes F44093, France; Platform Rat Transgenesis, Nantes F44093, France
| | - Laurent Tesson
- INSERM UMR 1064-ITUN, CHU de Nantes, Nantes F44093, France; Platform Rat Transgenesis, Nantes F44093, France
| | - Séverine Menoret
- INSERM UMR 1064-ITUN, CHU de Nantes, Nantes F44093, France; Platform Rat Transgenesis, Nantes F44093, France
| | - Claire Usal
- INSERM UMR 1064-ITUN, CHU de Nantes, Nantes F44093, France; Platform Rat Transgenesis, Nantes F44093, France
| | - Anne De Cian
- INSERM U565, CNRS UMR7196, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, F75005 Paris, France
| | - Virginie Thepenier
- INSERM UMR 1064-ITUN, CHU de Nantes, Nantes F44093, France; Platform Rat Transgenesis, Nantes F44093, France
| | - Reynald Thinard
- INSERM UMR 1064-ITUN, CHU de Nantes, Nantes F44093, France; Platform Rat Transgenesis, Nantes F44093, France
| | - Daniel Baron
- INSERM UMR 1064-ITUN, CHU de Nantes, Nantes F44093, France
| | - Marine Charpentier
- INSERM U565, CNRS UMR7196, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, F75005 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Renaud
- INSERM U565, CNRS UMR7196, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, F75005 Paris, France
| | - Roland Buelow
- Open Monoclonal Technologies, Palo Alto, California 94303, USA
| | | | - Carine Giovannangeli
- INSERM U565, CNRS UMR7196, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, F75005 Paris, France
| | | | - Jean-Paul Concordet
- INSERM U565, CNRS UMR7196, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, F75005 Paris, France
| | - Ignacio Anegon
- INSERM UMR 1064-ITUN, CHU de Nantes, Nantes F44093, France; Platform Rat Transgenesis, Nantes F44093, France
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98
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Meek S, Wei J, Sutherland L, Nilges B, Buehr M, Tomlinson SR, Thomson AJ, Burdon T. Tuning of β-catenin activity is required to stabilize self-renewal of rat embryonic stem cells. Stem Cells 2014; 31:2104-15. [PMID: 23843312 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2012] [Accepted: 05/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Stabilization of β-catenin, through inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) activity, in conjunction with inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK) promotes self-renewal of naïve-type mouse embryonic stem cells (ESC). In developmentally more advanced, primed-type, epiblast stem cells, however, β-catenin activity induces differentiation. We investigated the response of rat ESCs to β-catenin signaling and found that when maintained on feeder-support cells in the presence of a MEK inhibitor alone (1i culture), the derivation efficiency, growth, karyotypic stability, transcriptional profile, and differentiation potential of rat ESC cultures was similar to that of cell lines established using both MEK and GSK3 inhibitors (2i culture). Equivalent mouse ESCs, by comparison, differentiated in identical 1i conditions, consistent with insufficient β-catenin activity. This interspecies difference in reliance on GSK3 inhibition corresponded with higher overall levels of β-catenin activity in rat ESCs. Indeed, rat ESCs displayed widespread expression of the mesendoderm-associated β-catenin targets, Brachyury and Cdx2 in 2i medium, and overt differentiation upon further increases in β-catenin activity. In contrast, mouse ESCs were resistant to differentiation at similarly elevated doses of GSK3 inhibitor. Interestingly, without feeder support, moderate levels of GSK3 inhibition were necessary to support effective growth of rat ESC, confirming the conserved role for β-catenin in ESC self-renewal. This work identifies β-catenin signaling as a molecular rheostat in rat ESC, regulating self-renewal in a dose-dependent manner, and highlights the potential importance of controlling flux in this signaling pathway to achieve effective stabilization of naïve pluripotency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Meek
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)VS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
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99
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Hong N, Schartl M, Hong Y. Derivation of stable zebrafish ES-like cells in feeder-free culture. Cell Tissue Res 2014; 357:623-32. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-014-1882-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2013] [Accepted: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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100
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Rumi MAK, Dhakal P, Kubota K, Chakraborty D, Lei T, Larson MA, Wolfe MW, Roby KF, Vivian JL, Soares MJ. Generation of Esr1-knockout rats using zinc finger nuclease-mediated genome editing. Endocrinology 2014; 155:1991-9. [PMID: 24506075 PMCID: PMC3990838 DOI: 10.1210/en.2013-2150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Estrogens play pivotal roles in development and function of many organ systems, including the reproductive system. We have generated estrogen receptor 1 (Esr1)-knockout rats using zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) genome targeting. mRNAs encoding ZFNs targeted to exon 3 of Esr1 were microinjected into single-cell rat embryos and transferred to pseudopregnant recipients. Of 17 live births, 5 had biallelic and 1 had monoallelic Esr1 mutations. A founder with monoallelic mutations was backcrossed to a wild-type rat. Offspring possessed only wild-type Esr1 alleles or wild-type alleles and Esr1 alleles containing either 482 bp (Δ482) or 223 bp (Δ223) deletions, indicating mosaicism in the founder. These heterozygous mutants were bred for colony expansion, generation of homozygous mutants, and phenotypic characterization. The Δ482 Esr1 allele yielded altered transcript processing, including the absence of exon 3, aberrant splicing of exon 2 and 4, and a frameshift that generated premature stop codons located immediately after the codon for Thr157. ESR1 protein was not detected in homozygous Δ482 mutant uteri. ESR1 disruption affected sexually dimorphic postnatal growth patterns and serum levels of gonadotropins and sex steroid hormones. Both male and female Esr1-null rats were infertile. Esr1-null males had small testes with distended and dysplastic seminiferous tubules, whereas Esr1-null females possessed large polycystic ovaries, thread-like uteri, and poorly developed mammary glands. In addition, uteri of Esr1-null rats did not effectively respond to 17β-estradiol treatment, further demonstrating that the Δ482 Esr1 mutation created a null allele. This rat model provides a new experimental tool for investigating the pathophysiology of estrogen action.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Codon, Nonsense
- Crosses, Genetic
- Deoxyribonucleases/chemistry
- Deoxyribonucleases/genetics
- Deoxyribonucleases/metabolism
- Estrogen Receptor alpha/chemistry
- Estrogen Receptor alpha/genetics
- Estrogen Receptor alpha/metabolism
- Exons
- Female
- Gene Knockout Techniques
- Infertility, Female/blood
- Infertility, Female/metabolism
- Infertility, Female/pathology
- Infertility, Male/blood
- Infertility, Male/metabolism
- Infertility, Male/pathology
- Male
- Microinjections
- Protein Engineering
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Rats
- Rats, Mutant Strains
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Rats, Transgenic
- Zinc Fingers
- Zygote/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Karim Rumi
- Institute for Reproductive Health and Regenerative Medicine; Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (M.A.K.R., P.D., K.K., D.C., T.L., J.L.V., M.J.S.), Molecular and Integrative Physiology (M.A.L., M.W.W.), and Anatomy and Cell Biology (K.F.R.), University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
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